ACCC to host farmer forums for Dairy Inquiry

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is hosting a series of forums for dairy farmers as part of its Dairy Inquiry.

The forums seek to uncover farmer concerns over competition and fair trading in the wake of 2016’s dairy crisis which saw many Australian dairy farmers struggling after a group of dairy processors dropped their farmgate milk prices.

The Dairy Inquiry is examining the competition between milk processors, contracts between processors and farmers, global supply markets, and the profitability of dairy farms.

ACCC Commissioner, Mick Keogh, said the ACCC is interested in hearing from farmers on a wide range of topics.

“We are interested in hearing from farmers on a range of topics, including options for selling milk in different regions, the transparency of how farm gate milk prices are calculated, and contracting practices in the industry,” Keogh said.

“We are attending major dairy production regions in each state. I look forward to meeting farmers and hearing their views. If there are farmers who cannot attend but want to have their say, I’d encourage them to call or email us,” he said.

A summary of the issues discussed at the forums will be published on the ACCC website but individual’s names will not be used.